Will “Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #488 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,240.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
Currently, there are 18,500 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator”

Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Design well pumping systems.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Fabricate well casings.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.

Related Technology & Tools

Trenchers
Tablet computers
Chain slings
Pipe retrieval fishing tools
Core drill rigs
Downhole well testing equipment
Drilling collars
Personal computers
Work trucks
Power augers
Laptop computers
Portable air compressors
Precision levels
Shale shakers
Water test kits
Handheld remote thermometers
Marsh funnels
Submerged arc welding tools
Desanders
Drill pipe tongs
Water level meters
Water monitoring samplers
Bobcats
Truck-mounted water pumps
Grout pumps
Adjustable combination wrenches
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Water logging tools
Mud guns
Water sampling bailers
Lube guns
Air rotary drills
Field forklifts
Digital video cameras
Mud rotary drills
Mud balances
Rotary drilling tools
Mud pumping equipment
Downhole hammers
Mud mixers
Backhoe-equipped tractors
Cable tool drills
Earth drilling machines
Alternating current AC generators
Truck mounted cranes

Microsoft Excel
Data entry software
Global positioning system GPS software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Office